Semiconductor substrate, semiconductor package structure and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor package structure, and methods for making the same. A method includes providing a substrate and a carrier layer. The substrate includes a first patterned metal layer, a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer covers the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. A conductive material is disposed in the via and electrically connects the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. The carrier layer defines second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410234083.0, filed on May 29, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor package structure and a method of making the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Dielectric layers of a semiconductor substrate may be made from pre-impregnated (pre-preg) composite fibers. However, pre-preg mainly includes resin and glass fiber, so a relatively thick pre-preg dielectric layer is used to obtain a desired structural strength of the substrate. Thus, the use of pre-preg dielectric layers may increase a thickness of the substrate.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of making a semiconductor substrate includes: providing a substrate and providing a carrier layer on a dielectric layer of the substrate. The substrate includes a first patterned metal layer; a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer, and the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer and covers the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. A conductive material is disposed in the via, and electrically connects the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. The carrier layer defines second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of making a semiconductor package structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a first patterned metal layer, a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer, a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer and covering the second patterned metal layer, and a carrier layer. The dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. A conductive material is disposed in the via opening and electrically connects the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. The carrier layer abuts the dielectric layer and defines second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer. The method also includes electrically connecting a die to the first patterned metal layer and removing the carrier layer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor package structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a die. The semiconductor substrate includes a first patterned metal layer; a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer covers the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer has a rough surface. The dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. A conductive material is disposed in the via opening and electrically connects the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. The die is electrically connected to the first patterned metal layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described according to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor substrate according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G and 3H are schematic diagrams of a method of making a semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3I is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3J is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the package structure 2 a in FIG. 3I along a direction D;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a module including a semiconductor package structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5A is an enlarged diagram of the Region L in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, a semiconductor substrate 1 a includes a first patterned metal layer 13, a first dielectric layer 14, a via opening 14 o, a second patterned metal layer 15, a conductive material 15 a disposed within the via opening 14 o, a second dielectric layer 16 and a carrier layer 17.

The first patterned metal layer 13 may include, but is not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. A pitch of traces of the first patterned metal layer 13 may be equal to or less than about 15 micrometers (μm), and a width of traces of the first patterned metal layer 13 may be equal to or less than about 15 μm. In one or more embodiments, a minimum trace pitch and a minimum trace width are approximately equal; however, in one or more other embodiments, a minimum trace pitch and a minimum trace width are unequal. The first patterned metal layer 13 has a thickness from about 5 μm to about 20 μm, such as about 5 μm to about 15 μm, or about 5 μm to about 10 μm.

The second patterned metal layer 15 is disposed under the first patterned metal layer 13. The second patterned metal layer 15 may include, but is not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The first patterned metal layer 13 may include one or more of the same materials as the second patterned metal layer 15; however, some or all of the materials of the first patterned metal layer 13 the second patterned metal layer 15 may be different. The second patterned metal layer 15 has a thickness from about 5 μm to about 30 μm, such as about 5 μm to about 25 μm, about 5 μm to about 20 μm, about 5 μm to about 15 μm, or about 5 μm to about 10 μm.

The first dielectric layer 14 is disposed between the first patterned metal layer 13 and the second patterned metal layer 15. The first dielectric layer 14 has a thickness from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, such as about 10 μm to about 90 μm, about 10 μm to about 80 μm, about 10 μm to about 70 μm, about 10 μm to about 60 μm, about 10 μm to about 50 μm, about 10 μm to about 40 μm, about 10 μm to about 30 μm, or about 10 μm to about 20 μm. The first dielectric layer 14 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a photosensitive material which is cured during manufacturing, such as a solder resist or a polyimide, a resin or another material which is applied in liquid or semi-liquid form and is cured during manufacturing, and a dry-film insulating material. The first patterned metal layer 13 is exposed from an upper surface of the first dielectric layer 14, and an upper surface of the first patterned metal layer 13 may be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the first dielectric layer 14. The first dielectric layer 14 includes at least one via opening 14 o.

The at least one via opening 14 o extends from the first patterned metal layer 13 to the second patterned metal layer 15. The via opening 14 o has a diameter between about 10 μm to about 150 μm, such as about 10 μm to about 100 μm, about 10 μm to about 50 μm about 10 μm to about 40 μm, about 10 μm to about 30 μm, or about 10 μm to about 20 μm.

The conductive material 15 a may be, but is not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The conductive material 15 a may include one or more of the same materials as the first patterned metal layer 13 or the second patterned metal layer 15; however, some or all of the materials of the first patterned metal layer 13, the second patterned metal layer 15 and the conductive material 15 a may be different. The conductive material 15 a is disposed in the at least one via opening 14 o so as to electrically connect the first patterned metal layer 13 and the second patterned metal layer 15. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the conductive material 15 a may be integrally formed with the second patterned metal layer 15.

The second dielectric layer 16 abuts the first dielectric layer 14. The second dielectric layer 16 encapsulates the second patterned metal layer 15. The second dielectric layer 16 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a photosensitive material which is cured during manufacturing, such as a solder resist or a polyimide, a resin or another material which is applied in liquid or semi-liquid form and is cured during manufacturing, and a dry-film insulating material. The second dielectric layer 16 may include one or more of the same materials as the first dielectric layer 14; however, some or all of the materials of the first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 may be different. In one or more embodiments, the second dielectric layer 16 has a thickness from about 10 μm to about 30 μm, such as about 10 μm to about 25 μm, about 10 μm to about 20 μm, or about 10 μm to about 15 μm. The second dielectric layer 16 includes multiple first openings 16 o to expose the second patterned metal layer 15. Each of the first openings 16 o may have a diameter from about 100 μm to about 1000 μm, such as about 100 μm to about 900 μm, about 100 μm to about 800 μm, about 100 μm to about 700 μm, about 100 μm to about 600 μm, about 100 μm to about 500 μm, about 100 μm to about 400 μm, about 100 μm to about 300 μm, or about 100 μm to about 200 μm.

In one or more embodiments, one or both of the first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 may be formed of a film type insulating material, a material applied in liquid or semi-liquid form and dried during manufacturing, or other material not containing glass fibers, and thus a semiconductor substrate with a reduced thickness may be obtained as compared to a semiconductor substrate in which the first dielectric layer 14 and/or the second dielectric layer 16 are materials including glass fibers.

The carrier layer 17 abuts the second dielectric layer 16. The carrier layer 17 may be closely attached or laminated to the second dielectric layer 16.

The carrier layer 17 includes multiple second openings 17 o. A position of each of the second openings 17 o substantially corresponds to a position of a respective first opening 16 o. A diameter of each of the second openings 17 o is greater than or equal to a diameter of the respective first opening 16 o. Each of the second openings 17 o may have a diameter from about 100 μm to about 1500 μm, such as about 100 μm to about 1000 μm, about 100 μm to about 900 μm, about 100 μm to about 800 μm, about 100 μm to about 700 μm, about 100 μm to about 600 μm, about 100 μm to about 500 μm, about 100 μm to about 400 μm, about 100 μm to about 300 μm, or about 100 μm to about 200 μm. The first openings 16 o and the second openings 17 o may be sized to allow a probe to pass so as to conduct electrical testing.

The carrier layer 17 may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. For example, a multi-layer structure carrier layer 17 may include a third patterned metal layer 17 a and a supporting layer 17 b. In this embodiment, the third patterned metal layer 17 a abuts the second dielectric layer 16. The third patterned metal layer 17 a may include, but is not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The third patterned metal layer 17 a may include one or more of the same materials as the first patterned metal layer 13, the second patterned metal layer 15 or the conductive material 15 a; however, some or all of the materials of the first patterned metal layer 13, the second patterned metal layer 15, the third patterned metal layer 17 a and the conductive material 15 a may be different. The third patterned metal layer 17 a may have a thickness from about 2 μm to about 7 μm, such as about 2 μm to about 6 μm, about 2 μm to about 5 μm, about 2 μm to about 4 μm, or about 2 μm to about 3 μm. Further in the example of the multi-layer structure carrier layer 17, the supporting layer 17 b abuts the third patterned metal layer 17 a. The supporting layer 17 b may include, but is not limited to, BT (bismaleimide triazine) resin or glass-reinforced epoxy material (e.g., an FR4 material). The supporting layer 17 b may have a thickness from about 40 μm to about 400 μm, such as about 40 μm to about 300 μm, about 40 μm to about 200 μm, about 40 μm to about 100 μm, about 40 μm to about 90 μm, about 40 μm to about 80 μm, about 40 μm to about 70 μm, about 40 μm to about 60 μm, or about 40 μm to about 50 μm. The supporting layer 17 b is used for enhancing a strength of the semiconductor substrate 1 a to facilitate a subsequent packaging process. The third patterned metal layer 17 a is used to facilitate separation of the carrier layer 17 from a semiconductor package body after packaging.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor substrate 1 b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The semiconductor substrate 1 b has a structure similar to that of the semiconductor substrate 1 a in FIG. 1A, and the difference lies in that the first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 in the semiconductor substrate 1 a are replaced with a single dielectric layer 14 in the semiconductor substrate 1 b, that is, the second dielectric layer 16 and the first dielectric layer 14 are formed of the same material. For example, when the second dielectric layer 16 and the first dielectric layer 14 are solder resist, because the solder resist is a thermoplastic material and has moisture absorption characteristics, a first solder resist (e.g., the first dielectric layer 14) may absorb moisture and thus not fully cure prior to application of a next second solder resist (e.g., the second dielectric layer 16); thus, the first solder resist and the second solder resist may cure at the same time and fuse together, forming the single dielectric layer 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the dielectric layer 14 is disposed between the first patterned metal layer 13 and the second patterned metal layer 15, and encapsulates the second patterned metal layer 15. The dielectric layer 14 includes multiple first openings 16 o′ to expose the second patterned metal layer 15. The dielectric layer 14 includes at least one that extends from the first patterned metal layer 13 to the second patterned metal layer 15. The first openings 16 o′ and the second openings 17 o may be sized to allow a probe to pass so as to conduct electrical testing.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2A, a semiconductor package structure 2 a includes a first patterned metal layer 13, a first dielectric layer 14, a second patterned metal layer 15, a second dielectric layer 16, multiple solder balls 18, a die 21 and a molding compound 22.

A semiconductor substrate included in the semiconductor package structure 2 a may be similar to the semiconductor substrate 1 a shown in FIG. 1A, and the difference lies in that the semiconductor substrate included in the semiconductor package structure 2 a does not have the carrier layer 17′ of the semiconductor substrate 1 a.

The solder balls 18 are disposed in respective first openings 16 o of the second dielectric layer 16. A surface roughness (Ra) of a lower surface 16S of the second dielectric layer 16 is greater than about 0.15 μm. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the lower surface 16S has a surface roughness from about 0.2 μm to about 1.0 μm, such as about 0.4 μm to about 1.0 μm, about 0.6 μm to about 1.0 μm, or about 0.8 μm to about 1.0 μm.

The die 21 may include one or more connecting elements 23. A connecting element 23 may be, for example, a copper pillar or a solder bump. The die 21 may be bonded to the first patterned metal layer 13 through the connecting element 23, such that the die 21 is electrically connected to the first patterned metal layer 13. The molding compound 22 encapsulates the die 21 and the connecting elements 23.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, a semiconductor package structure 2 b has a structure similar to that of the semiconductor package structure 2 a in FIG. 2A, and the differences are (1) the first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 in the semiconductor package structure 2 a are replaced with a single dielectric layer 14 in the semiconductor package structure 2 b (similar to the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 1B), and (2) the solder balls 18 are disposed in respective openings 14 o″ of the dielectric layer 14.

FIGS. 3A-3H are schematic diagrams of a method of making a semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a loading plate 10 is provided. A first metal foil 11 and a second metal foil 12 are sequentially formed on one side of the loading plate 10, and a first metal foil 11′ and a second metal foil 12′ are sequentially formed on the opposite side of the loading plate 10.

The loading plate 10 may include, but is not limited to, a glass-reinforced epoxy material (e.g., an FR4 material) (e.g., composed of woven glass and epoxy resin).

The first metal foils 11, 11′ and the second metal foils 12, 12′ may be formed by plating, for example. The first metal foils 11, 11′ and the second metal foils 12, 12′ may include, but are not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The first metal foils 11 and 11′ each have a thickness from about 3 μm to about 70 μm, such as about 3 μm to about 60 μm, about 3 μm to about 50 μm, about 3 μm to about 40 μm, about 3 μm to about 30 μm, about 3 μm to about 20 μm, about 3 μm to about 10 μm, about 3 μm to about 5 μm, about 5 μm to about 10 μm, about 10 μm to about 50 μm, or about 30 μm to about 70 μm. The second metal foils 12 and 12′ each have a thickness from about 2 μm to about 35 μm, such as about 2 μm to about 30 μm, about 2 μm to about 20 μm, about 2 μm to about 10 μm, about 2 μm to about 5 μm, about 5 μm to about 20 μm, about 5 μm to about 30 μm, or about 5 μm to about 35 μm.

In one or more embodiments, the first metal foils 11, 11′ and the second metal foils 12, 12′, as well as the structures in FIGS. 3B to 3F to be described hereinafter, may be sequentially formed on two sides of the loading plate 10 (e.g., above and below the loading plate 10 shown in FIG. 3A) substantially concurrently using a double-sided process. In other embodiments, the first metal foil 11, the second metal foil 12 and the structures in FIGS. 3B to 3F to be described hereinafter may be first sequentially formed on one side of the loading plate 10 (e.g., above the loading plate 10 shown in FIG. 3A) using a single-sided process, and then the first metal foil 11′, the second metal foil 12′ and the structures in FIGS. 3B to 3F to be described hereinafter may be sequentially formed on the other side of the loading plate 10 (e.g., below the loading plate 10 shown in FIG. 3A) using a single-sided process.

Referring to FIG. 3B, first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ are respectively formed on the second metal foil 12 and on the second metal foil 12′. The first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ may be formed, for example, using photo-lithography, plating and stripping. Photolithography may include, for example, coating, exposure and development, so as to form the first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ in a subsequent plating process. The first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ may include, but are not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. A pitch of traces of the first patterned metal layer 13 or 13′ may be equal to or less than about 15 μm, and a width of traces of the first patterned metal layer 13 or 13′ may be equal to or less than about 15 μm. In one or more embodiments, a minimum trace pitch and a minimum trace width are approximately equal; however, in one or more other embodiments, a minimum trace pitch and a minimum trace width are unequal. The first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ each have a thickness from about 5 μm to about 20 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the first patterned metal layer 13 in FIG. 1A).

Referring to FIG. 3C, a first dielectric layer 14 is formed on the second metal foil 12 and the first patterned metal layer 13, and a first dielectric layer 14′ is formed on the second metal foil 12′ and the first patterned metal layer 13′.

The first patterned metal layer 13 is embedded into the first dielectric layer 14, and the first patterned metal layer 13′ is embedded into the first dielectric layer 14′. The first dielectric layers 14 and 14′ include respective multiple via openings 14 o and 14 o′ to expose portions of the respective first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′.

The first dielectric layers 14 and 14′ each have a thickness from about 10 μm to about 100 μm (e.g., such as described above with respect to the first dielectric layer 14 in FIG. 1A), and the via openings 14 o and 14 o′ each have a diameter from about 10 μm to about 150 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the first dielectric layer 14 in FIG. 1A). The first dielectric layers 14 and 14′ may include, but are not limited to, one or more of a photosensitive material, such as a solder resist or a polyimide, a resin or another material which is applied in liquid or semi-liquid form and is cured during manufacturing, and a dry-film insulating material. In embodiments in which a photosensitive material is used, the photosensitive material may be laminated to surfaces of the second metal foils 12 and 12′ so as to form the first dielectric layers 14 and 14′, and the via openings 14 o and 14 o′ may be formed in the first dielectric layers 14 and 14′ by photo-lithography.

In an embodiment in which a liquid resin is used, the liquid resin may be coated to surfaces of the second metal foil 12, the first patterned metal layer 13, the second metal foil 12′ and the first patterned metal layer 13′ to form the first dielectric layers 14 and 14′, and the via openings 14 o and 14 o′ may be formed using a laser drilling technique.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a second patterned metal layer 15 is formed on the first dielectric layer 14, and a second patterned metal layer 15′ is formed on the first dielectric layer 14′.

In one or more embodiments, a seed layer (not shown) may be formed on exposed surfaces of the first patterned metal layers 13, 13′ and the first dielectric layers 14 and 14′; then, the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ are formed on the seed layer through processes such as photo-lithography, plating, stripping and etching.

The second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ may include, but is not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ each have a thickness from about 5 μm to about 30 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the second patterned metal layer 15 in FIG. 1A).

In one or more embodiments, the second patterned metal layer 15 is formed on the first dielectric layer 14 and in the via opening 14 o, and the second patterned metal layer 15′ is formed on the first dielectric layer 14′ and in the via opening 14 o′, such that portions of the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ formed in the via openings 14 o and 14 o′ directly contact the first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ respectively.

Alternatively in FIG. 3D, in one or more embodiments, conductive materials 15 a and 15 a′ may be formed in the via openings 14 o and 14 o′ respectively; subsequently, a second patterned metal layer 15 is formed on the conductive material 15 a, and a second patterned metal layer 15′ is formed on the conductive material 15 a′, so as to use the conductive materials 15 a and 15 a′ to respectively electrically connect the first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ and the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′. The conductive materials 15 a and 15 a′ may include, but are not limited to copper or other metal, or a metal alloy. The via openings 14 o and 14 o′ may be respectively filled with the conductive materials 15 a and 15 a′.

Referring to FIG. 3E, a second dielectric layer 16 is formed on the first dielectric layer 14 and the second patterned metal layer 15; and a second dielectric layer 16′ is formed on the first dielectric layer 14′ and the second patterned metal layer 15′.

The second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ may include, but are not limited to, one or more of a photosensitive material, such as a solder resist or a polyimide, a resin or another material which is applied in liquid or semi-liquid form and is cured during manufacturing, and a dry-film insulating material. The second dielectric layer 16 may include one or more of the same materials as the first dielectric layer 14; however, some or all of the materials of the first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 may be different.’

The second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ include a number of first openings 16 o and 16 o′. The first openings 16 o and 16 o′ may respectively expose part of the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ directly contacting or electrically connecting the first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′. The second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ each have a thickness from about 10 μm to about 30 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the second dielectric layer 16 in FIG. 1A).

The first openings 16 o and 16 o′ may respectively have a diameter from about 100 μm to about 1000 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the first openings 16 o in FIG. 1A). The first dielectric layer 14 and the second dielectric layer 16 together have a total thickness from about 30 μm to about 180 μm, such as about 30 μm to about 150 μm, about 30 μm to about 100 μm, about 30 μm to about 50 μm, about 50 μm to about 180 μm, about 100 μm to about 180 μm, or about 150 μm to about 180 μm.

Referring to FIG. 3F, a carrier layer 17 is formed above the second dielectric layer 16, and a carrier layer 17′ is formed below the second dielectric layer 16′.

The carrier layers 17 and 17′ may be single-layer or multi-layer structures. For example, the carrier layer 17 may include at least one third patterned metal layer 17 a and a supporting layer 17 b, and the carrier layer 17′ may include at least one third patterned metal layer 17 a′ and a supporting layer 17 b′. The third patterned metal layers 17 a and 17 a′ may include, but are not limited to, copper or other metal, or a metal alloy, and may have a thickness from about 2 μm to about 7 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the third patterned metal layer 17 a in FIG. 1A). The supporting layers 17 b and 17 b′ may include, but are not limited to, BT resin or a glass-reinforced epoxy material (e.g., an FR4 material), and may have a thickness from about 40 μm to about 400 μm (e.g., such as described with respect to the supporting layer 17 b in FIG. 1A).

The carrier layers 17 and 17′ may be formed in advance; for example, patterned carrier layers 17 and 17′ may be formed on the carrier layers 17 and 17′ such as by using a drilling machine.

The patterned carrier layers 17 and 17′ may be closely attached or laminated to surfaces of the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ respectively. In one or more embodiments, the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ are thermally cured in a range of about 80° C. to about 120° C.; however, the curing temperature typically does not exceed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′. In this manner, the patterned carrier layers 17 and 17′ may be attached to the surfaces of the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′, respectively, by an adhesive force between the third patterned metal layers 17 a and 17 a′ and the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′, and a surface roughness of the second dielectric layers 16 and 16′ will be determined by a surface roughness of the patterned carrier layers 17 and 17′.

The carrier layers 17 and 17′ include second openings 17 o and 17 o′ that expose portions of the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ respectively. The position of each of the second openings 17 o and 17 o′ substantially corresponds to a position of a respective first opening 16 o or 16 o′. For example, a position of the center of a second opening 17 o or 17 o′ aligns with a position of a center of the respective first opening 16 o and 16 o′. A diameter of each of the second openings 17 o and 17 o′ is greater than or equal to a diameter of the respective first opening 16 o or 16 o′. The second openings 17 o and 17 o′ may have diameters from about 100 μm to about 1500 μm respectively (e.g., such as described with respect to the second opening 17 a in FIG. 1A).

As shown in FIG. 3F, it is possible to form a semiconductor substrate 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure on the first metal foil 11 and form a semiconductor substrate 1′ in an embodiment of the present disclosure on the first metal foil 11′. The semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ may have substantially the same structures. Each of the semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ may have a total thickness from about 80 μm to about 800 μm, such as about 80 μm to about 700 μm, about 80 μm to about 600 μm, about 80 μm to about 500 μm, about 80 μm to about 400 μm, about 80 μm to about 300 μm, about 80 μm to about 200 μm, about 80 μm to about 100 μm, about 100 μm to about 400 μm, about 200 μm to about 500 μm, about 300 μm to about 600 μm, about 400 μm to about 700 μm, or about 500 μm to about 800 μm.

Referring to FIG. 3G and FIG. 3H, in FIG. 3G, the semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ may be separated from the first metal foils 11 and 11′ respectively to form the semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ in FIG. 3H. Forces may be respectively applied to the supporting layers 17 b and 17 b′ so as to separate the semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ from the first metal foils 11 and 11′ without damaging the substrates 1 and 1′.

The second metal foils 12 and 12′ of the respective semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ in FIG. 3H may be removed, for example, by etching, so as to form two semiconductor structures such as the semiconductor substrate 1 a′ shown in FIG. 1A.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor substrates 1 and 1′ are supported by respective patterned carrier layers 17 b and 17 b′, and upper and lower probes (not shown) respectively contact the first patterned metal layers 13 and 13′ and the second patterned metal layers 15 and 15′ so as to conduct an electrical test.

FIG. 3I is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 3I, a package technology may be used, for example, a flip chip technology, to electrically connect a die 21 to the semiconductor substrate 1 a in FIG. 1A (e.g., a semiconductor substrate 1 or 1′ as shown in FIG. 3H) so as to form a package structure 2 c. Connecting elements 23 formed on the die 21 may be bonded to the first patterned metal layer 13, and then through a molding process, a molding compound 22 is used to encapsulate the die 21 and part of the connecting elements 23 so as to form the package structure 2 c. The carrier layer 17 provides support for, and may protect, the semiconductor substrate (e.g., 1, 1′, 1 a) during packaging.

The connecting elements 23 may be, but are not limited to, a copper pillar or a solder bump.

FIG. 3J is a schematic diagram of a semiconductor package structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3J, ball mount or printing technology is used to form solder balls 18 in respective first openings 16 o and second openings 17 o of the package structure 2 c in FIG. 3I, to form a package structure 2 d.

It is noted that a steel stencil is generally used to abut against the semiconductor substrate for ball mount or printing technology. However, because there is a gap between the steel stencil and the semiconductor substrate, a flux used during the ball mount or printing process will easily flow into the gap between the steel stencil and the semiconductor substrate, which leads to a short circuit caused when solder ball flows along with the flux. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, because the patterned carrier layer 17 is closely attached to the second dielectric layer 16, the solder balls 18 can be formed in the first openings 16 o and the second openings 17 o relatively accurately, so that the steel stencil is not needed to align with the first openings 16 o and the second openings 17 o during ball mount or printing, and thus the short circuit of the package structure 2 d can be prevented.

The patterned carrier layer 17 may be removed from the package structure 2 d in FIG. 3J by means of a physical or mechanical force (e.g., tearing) so as to form the package structure 2 a shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the package structure 2 c in FIG. 3I along a direction D. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the second openings 17 o of the carrier layer 17 expose portions of the second dielectric layer 16 and the second patterned metal layer 15.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a module including a semiconductor package structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, a module 5 may include a substrate 3, a semiconductor package structure 2 e, components 31 and 32, and a molding compound 4.

The module 5 may be, for example, a communications module, a display module or the like. The semiconductor package structure 2 e may be the same as the semiconductor package structure 2 a shown in FIG. 2A, or may be another semiconductor package structure according to this disclosure. The components 31 and 32 may be active components, passive components, or other semiconductor package structures, which may be similar to or different than the semiconductor package structure 2 e.

The semiconductor package structure 2 e, the component 31 and the component 32 are disposed on the substrate 3, and the molding compound 4 encapsulates surfaces of the semiconductor package structure 2 e, the component 31, the component 32 and the substrate 3.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged diagram of the Region L in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5A, during manufacturing of the semiconductor package structure 2 e due to removing the carrier layer 17 from the package structure 2 d (referring to FIG. 3J), the surface roughness of the lower surface 16S of the second dielectric layer 16 is increased.

For example, in FIG. 3E, the lower surface 16S of the second dielectric layer 16 may have a surface roughness from about 0.09 μm to about 0.15 μm; whereas after removing the carrier layer (FIG. 3J), the lower surface 16S of the second dielectric layer 16 has surface roughness greater than about 0.15 μm.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower surface 16S of the second dielectric layer is a relatively uneven rough surface. The relatively uneven surface 16S may increase a binding force between the molding compound 4 and the semiconductor package structure 2 e by encapsulating the semiconductor package structure 2 e with the molding compound 4.

As used herein and not otherwise defined, the terms “substantially” and “about” are used to describe and account for small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance (e.g., “substantially concurrently”), the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation. For example, the terms can refer to less than or equal to ±10%, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%. Two surfaces can be deemed to be coplanar or substantially coplanar if a displacement between the two surfaces is no greater than 1 μm, no greater than 5 μm, no greater than 10 μm, or no greater than 15 μm. For another example, two substantially corresponding positions align along a line or along a plane, with a displacement from the line or plane being a displacement of no greater than about 5 μm, such as no greater than about 4 μm, no greater than about 3 μm, no greater than about 2 μm, or no greater than about 1 μm.

While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments thereof, these descriptions and illustrations do not limit the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The illustrations may not be necessarily be drawn to scale. There may be distinctions between the artistic renditions in the present disclosure and the actual apparatus due to manufacturing processes and tolerances. There may be other embodiments of the present disclosure which are not specifically illustrated. The specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, method, or process to the objective, spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. While the methods disclosed herein have been described with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations are not limitations of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a semiconductor substrate, comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate comprising: a first patterned metal layer; a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer; a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer and covering the second patterned metal layer, wherein the dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and the dielectric layer further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer; and a conductive material disposed in the via opening and electrically connecting the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer; and providing a carrier layer on the dielectric layer, wherein the carrier layer defines second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.
 2. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer further comprises a third patterned metal layer and a supporting layer, the third patterned metal layer abutting the dielectric layer, and the supporting layer abutting the third patterned metal layer.
 3. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a first dielectric sub-layer and a second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer being disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer, the second dielectric sub-layer abutting the first dielectric sub-layer and covering the second patterned metal layer, and the second dielectric sub-layer defining the first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.
 4. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is a photosensitive material.
 5. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 1, wherein providing a substrate comprises: forming the first patterned metal layer on a metal foil; forming a first dielectric sub-layer on the first patterned metal layer and the metal foil; forming the second patterned metal layer on the first dielectric sub-layer, and electrically connecting the second patterned metal layer to the first patterned metal layer; and forming a second dielectric sub-layer on the second patterned metal layer and the first dielectric sub-layer, wherein the first dielectric sub-layer and the second dielectric sub-layer fuse to form the dielectric layer.
 6. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 5, wherein providing a substrate further comprises, subsequent to forming the first dielectric sub-layer, forming via openings in the first dielectric sub-layer to expose part portions of the first patterned metal layer.
 7. The method of making a semiconductor substrate according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of each of the second openings is greater than or equal a diameter of a respective one of the first openings.
 8. A method of making a semiconductor package structure, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate comprising: a first patterned metal layer; a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer; a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer and covering the second patterned metal layer, wherein the dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and the dielectric layer further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer; a conductive material disposed in the via opening and electrically connecting the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer; and a carrier layer abutting the dielectric layer, the carrier layer defining second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer; electrically connecting a die to the first patterned metal layer; and removing the carrier layer.
 9. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein the carrier layer comprises a third patterned metal layer and a supporting layer, the third patterned metal layer abuts the dielectric layer, and the supporting layer abuts the third patterned metal layer.
 10. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a first dielectric sub-layer and a second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer being disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer, the second dielectric sub-layer abuts the first dielectric sub-layer and covers the second patterned metal layer, and the second dielectric sub-layer defines the first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.
 11. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein before removing the carrier layer, the method further comprises: forming solder balls in the first openings and the second openings.
 12. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein the first patterned metal layer is embedded in the dielectric layer and exposed from the dielectric layer.
 13. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein the dielectric layer is a photosensitive material.
 14. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein before removing the carrier layer, the method further comprises: forming a molding compound to cover the die.
 15. The method of making a semiconductor package structure according to claim 8, wherein a diameter of each of the second openings is greater than or equal to a diameter of a corresponding one of the first openings.
 16. A method, comprising: providing a substrate; applying a carrier layer to the substrate, wherein the carrier layer defines openings exposing portions of the substrate; disposing solder on the substrate within ones of the openings in the carrier layer; and removing the carrier layer; wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric layer, a first patterned metal layer embedded in a first surface of the dielectric layer, a second patterned metal layer embedded in the dielectric layer and partially exposed from a second surface of the dielectric layer, and a conductive material disposed in an opening through the dielectric layer, the conductive material electrically connecting the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer; and wherein the exposed portions of the substrate include portions of the second patterned metal layer partially exposed from the dielectric layer, and the solder is disposed on the second patterned metal layer.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second patterned metal layer is recessed from the second surface of the dielectric layer.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a plurality of dielectric layers, the first patterned metal layer is disposed in a first of the dielectric layers, and the second patterned metal layer is disposed in a second of the dielectric layers.
 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing the substrate comprises applying a first amount of a dielectric material over the first patterned metal layer, disposing the second metal layer on the dielectric material and through openings defined by the dielectric material, applying a second amount of the dielectric material over the second metal layer, and curing the dielectric material to form the dielectric layer.
 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing the substrate comprises providing a loading plate with the substrate disposed on a side of the loading plate, further comprising separating the substrate from the loading plate, attaching a die to the substrate at the first surface of the substrate, and encapsulating the die and the first surface of the substrate. 